Scaling Bioelectrochemical Biomass Conversion Technologies

Wet and gaseous waste streams are widely geographically distributed, frequently in areas of high population density, affording them unique market opportunities. Compared to terrestrial feedstocks, these waste streams are largely aggregated and any derivative biofuels, bioproducts, or biopower are close to end markets. Thus, various public and private entities are actively exploring and deploying novel solutions for waste stream valorization. Potential competition between biofuels, bioproducts, and other beneficial uses will likely be a key element of future markets, and clearly merits further analytical and modeling investigation. The need has been identified for the development of cheap, scalable and novel cell-free biomass conversion technology that produces biofuels / bioproducts, with enhanced carbon conversion efficiency. Interest has been expressed by the Department of Energy to develop novel biomass conversion strategy to substantially enhance the biomass carbon conversion efficiency. We will develop/scale-up our bioelectrochemical conversion process to industrially feasible scales of at least 100 L, with increased overall carbon efficiency. The bioelectrochemical conversion process combines a biocatalytic step and an electrochemical step: rumen microbial consortia and Kolbe electrolysis, both of which make use of cheap renewable power to maximize carbon conversion efficiency of waste to biofuels. In Phase I, Faraday and IRI will use our combined expertise to scale the rumen bacteria reactor to produce adequate volumes of medium chain fatty acids for electrolytic conversion, while design and scale the electrolytic reactor in parallel to convert medium chain fatty acids to biofuels. Finally, we will prepare a first order techno-economic and life cycle analysis for the entire process from biomass to biofuels.